The Belchertown couple had been wanting to get involved in the cause; they wanted to help raise awareness and financial support for research.

This year’s walk will be their third as chairpersons, the first since their only child, Ryan J., was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in December at age 10. “It is our mission as a family to do whatever we can to help raise awareness and funds to find a cure,” Mrs. Morris said.

The 2011 North Central Connecticut/Western Massachusetts chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk to Cure Diabetes will take place on Sunday, Oct. 16, at 10 a.m. at Six Flags New England.

At first Mrs. Morris and her husband got involved with the walk to do something meaningful to "give back" to the community. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation was a “great fit” for the family because two other members of the extended family have diabetes. “And with my son's recent diagnosis, it is even more meaningful for us to be involved,” Mrs. Morris said. “We plan to continue to be involved until we find a cure.”

Added her husband, “People understand there is a possibility for a cure.”

Some 4,000 walkers representing local corporations, families, schools, civic and other organizations are expected to participate. The largest contingency consists of entire families from children to grandparents, many of whom take part because of a family member living with Type 1 diabetes.

The disease strikes children and adults suddenly and requires multiple injections of insulin daily or a continuous infusion of insulin through a pump. Insulin is not a cure for diabetes nor does it prevent its eventual and devastating complications, which may include kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke and amputation.

Fourteen million Americans have a personal connection to the disease.

Morris has gotten many of his football team members involved in the walk, and this year they will again be on hand to sign autographs, help at the event and walk.

“As head coach, I wanted to use the platform to give back” to the community, Morris said. At the same time, he and his team are raising funds for a good cause.

Awilda Arnold of Springfield is the captain of the family team “Team Big Will,” named in honor of her brother-in-law, William “Big Will” Arnold, a former Springfield resident who died of diabetes in 2006.

Later that year, Awilda Arnold pulled together a team for the walk in honor of the father of three. “We walk to find a cure so no one else has to lose a loved one” to diabetes, she said.

Last year Team Big Will had more than 50 members and raised more than $10,000; the team has raised about $47,000 since 2006.

“Our team concern is to stop the pain and find a cure,” Arnold said.

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walks take place in more than 200 cities worldwide.

The Six Flags walk is one of three to take place this fall through the efforts of the local Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation chapter. The collective fundraising goal is $1 million for research to find a cure for diabetes and its complications.

The Six Flags walk will feature fun activities for the entire family including clowns, face painting, costumed characters, jugglers, and much more. Any walker who raises $50 or more will receive a free pass into the park.

“The walk is so exciting for everyone involved,” Lawrence said. “Everyone believes in the cause, and everyone has a wonderful time.”

Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. A brief kick-off celebration will take place at 10 a.m. with the two-mile walk beginning immediately afterward.

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is a leader in setting the agenda for diabetes research worldwide and is the largest charitable funder and advocate of Type 1 diabetes research. Its mission is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research.

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk to Cure Diabetes

Since its founding in 1970 by parents of children with Type 1 diabetes, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation has awarded more than $1.5 billion to diabetes research.

More than 80 percent of the foundation’s expenditures directly support research and research-related education. In fiscal year 2010 it funded research projects in 19 countries, including more than 40 human clinical trials.

For more information on how to participate in the Six Flags walk by becoming a sponsor or by building a walk team, visit www.walk.jdrf.org or call 860-470-0020.